International studio (27.1905/1906(1906))

Reviews

John Lane.)—Apart from the admirable technical
qualities displayed by Mr. Gibson in the exercise of
his pen—and there is no living artist who has a
greater command over his medium than he—there
is an intimate acquaintance displayed in all his
work with the lighter side of human nature that
secures to him the attention of a larger audience of
admirers than usually falls to the lot of the “ pen-
and-ink ” draughtsman. Mr. Gibson’s Creations
are by turns amorous, sprightly, crafty, and
melancholy. All the little weaknesses and many of
the good qualities of the human race, both male
and female, seem to be known to him au fond, and
so graphically is he able to represent these charac-
teristics, that the letterpress is at times scarcely
needed to teil the tale he has to relate. The present
volume is a worthy companion to those that have
preceded it.
The Lace Book. By N. Hudson Moore.
(London: Chapman & Hall.) 21 s. net.—An
incidental result of the modern art-revival is the
ever - increasing interest taken in the beautiful
needlework of the past, resulting in the publication
of many books of great historical value and full of
inspiration to the worker of to-day. The author of
this new monograph is a true enthusiast, who has
evidently considered no trouble too great to make
sure of the smallest detail, and has traced with
infinite care the evolution of lace from the single
threads used to tie portions of clothing together, to
the triumphs of design and execution that take rank
as true works of art. The story of the growth of
lace is first told in eloquent language, after which
Italian, Flemish, French, Spanish, English and Irish
varieties are exhaustively dealt with : each section
being supplemented by fine full-page engravings of
specimens of lace and examples of its wear by the
Originals of famous portraits.
The History of Henry Esmond, Esq. By W. M.
Thackeray. With an Introduction by Austin
Dobson and Illustrations by Hugh Thomson.
(Macmillan & Co.) 6s. — Mr. Thomson has
achieved a marked success in the numerous draw-
ings illustrating this masterpiece of historic fiction.
One or two of them are perhaps somewhat wanting
in vitality, but speaking generally they reveal those
qualities of graceful draughtsmanship which char-
acterise his pen-work. The volume forms the latest
addition to the Cranford Series.
Analysis of Drawing, Painting, and Composing.
By H. L. Moore. (Published by the author at 31,
Margravine Square, Kensington.) 12.?. 6d.—The
outcome of many years of experience as a teacher,
this little volume will be found useful not only to

the Student, but to all engaged in art educatiom
It goes in every case to the root of the matter,
never evading a difficulty, and defmes with pre-
cision the limitations as well as the possibilities
of the draughtsman. The illustrations, especially
those in the chapters 011 shadingand definition, are
some of them beautiful as well as instructive.
Original Drawings of the Dutch and Flemish
Schools in the Print Room of the State Museum at
Amsterdam. Selected by the Director, E. W. Moes.
(The Hague: M. Nijhoffj London: Williams &
Norgate.) Parts IV.—VI. To be completed in ten
parts. fpt iqu net each.—In noticing the first
three parts of this work in a recent number of
The Studio, we strongly commended the remark-
ably fine series of reproductions comprised in it to
the attention of everyone interested in the varied
methods pursued by the old masters of the Low
Countries. The number of these who are repre-
sented reaches as many as eighty or more, and in-
clude practically all who have attained to world-wide
fame, Van Dyck, Hobbema, Lely, Potter, Rubens,
and Rembrandt, amongst others. Of particular
interest are the numerous examples showing the
application of water colour in varying degrees in the
drawings and Sketches, and especially the landscape
studies, of these old masters, who in this respect, it is
interesting to note, long anticipated the English
workers whose achievements in the medium have led
to the supposition that this branch of art is of purely
English origin. Mr. Moes is to be congratulated
on the excellent judgment he has shown in making
his selection—a by no means easy task considering
the great mass of material which had to be sifted.
The plates furnish eloquent testimony to the perfec-
tion attained by modern reproductive processes.
Monograms and Ciphers. Designed by A. A.
Turbayne and others. (London : The Caxton
Publishing Co.) To be completed in seven parts,
5-f. net each.—Strictly defined and limited, the
designing of ciphers and monograms would at first
sight appear to be a very simple matter, affording
but little scope for originality, yet many great
artists have thought it worth while to give their
attention to it, and it is only the exceptionally
gifted who are really successful. Hence it is im-
possible to over-estimate the value of the work
now being done by Mr. Turbayne and other mem-
bers of the Carlton Studio, whose designs are as
remarkable for simplicity as for effectiveness, and
will be of the utmost value to craftsmen in many
different branches of art production.
Die Photographische Kunst 1903 und 1904.
Edited by F. Matthies-Masuren. (Halle: